JEFFERSON CITY | A group of Missouri House Democrats have written a letter to Speaker Steve Tilley requesting that he abandon plans to induct Rush Limbaugh into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

News of Limbaugh's induction into the hall, which honors famous Missourians for their achievements and contributions to the state, broke Monday afternoon. Since then, Democrats have decried the idea, especially in light of the controversy surrounding Limbaugh's recent comments in which he referred to a Georgetown University law student as a “slut” and a “prostitute.”

Limbaugh issued an apology for his poor choice of words, but several companies pulled their advertising support from his radio show.

In a letter signed by 48 Democratic House members, Minority Leader Mike Talboy said Limbaugh is not worthy of being honored with a bronze bust in the third-floor rotunda of the Missouri Capitol.

"To date, inductees have been limited to those widely recognized for making positive contributions in their given field or who have otherwise achieved acclaim," Talboy said in his letter. "Mr. Limbaugh's brand of fame is best described as notoriety and the value of his contributions to the field of broadcasting are debatable."

Limbaugh would be the "most divisive and controversial" inductee to the hall, Talboy said, and "his inclusion would not bring honor to the state of Missouri."

Honoring Limbaugh so soon after his controversial statements about 30-year old law student Sandra Fluke would be seen as "a tacit endorsement of his misogynistic attitudes," Talboy said.

Tilley defended the induction Monday, saying one can deny the fact that Limbaugh would qualify as a famous Missourian. The decision of who gets inducted into the hall is left solely to the Speaker of the House, and Tilley said Limbaugh's induction will go forward as planned.